72Sam Baker T

Player Updates

The Falcons announced Monday they are releasing veteran offensive tackle Sam Baker, who missed the entire 2014 campaign with a torn patellar tendon.

Baker was a first-round draft pick of the Falcons in 2008 and spent his entire career in Atlanta, starting 61 games. Baker missed the end of the 2013 season with a knee injury and then suffered the patellar injury during a preseason game in 2014.

Falcons general manager Thomas Dimitroff said left tackle Sam Baker, who missed the entire 2014 season with a torn patella tendon, is recovering well, reports the Atlanta Journal-Constitution.

"Sam is healing up well,” Dimitroff said. “He’s a guy that’s focused. He’s been in there all the time … He’s really focused with trying to get back on track.”

Jake Matthews, the No. 6 overall pick in the 2014 draft, took over at left tackle after Baker suffered the injury in a preseason game. It's unclear whether Baker can reclaim his job once fully healthy.

"It will be interesting to see how both players fit in the new zone-blocking scheme that offensive coordinator Kyle Shanahan plans to implement," the paper said.